RECORD: 9-1 – COACH: Rollie DeKoster
LEAGUE: 9-0 (1st Place in the WCL)
CLASSIFICATION: A – PLAYOFFS: Lost in 1st Round
Scoring Stats “Per Game”
Points: 15.1 – Allowed: 8.4 – Differential: +6.7
GAME BY GAME:
Week 1: Lynden 17, Lynden Christian 13
Week 2: Lynden 23, Mount Baker 7
Week 3: Lynden 28, Meridian 16
Week 4: Lynden 7, Nooksack Valley 6
Week 5: Lynden 39, Blaine 18
Week 6: Lynden 7, Lynden Christian 6
Week 7: Lynden 13, Mount Baker 0
Week 8: Lynden 7, Meridian 0
Week 9: Lynden 10, Nooksack Valley 6
State Playoffs: 1st Round: Sultan 12, Lynden 0
The 1979 Lions were loaded, and went through the league unblemished. A tough loss to Sultan in the opening round ended the season, but it still was a great season.
Junior lefty Vince Blauser won the quarterback job, and didn’t disappoint. He completed 19 passes for 231 yards, three touchdowns, and he ran for two more scores. Senior Benji Lange also showed off his strong arm, completing seven passes for 174 yards and three touchdowns. Junior Craig Seutz was the workhorse for the Lions, rushing for 647 yards (4.7 average) and three touchdowns, and he was named All-League 2nd Team. Fellow junior Leif Erickson was a load to bring down. At 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds he rambled for 369 yards (4.7) and five touchdowns on his was to being named All-League 1st Team. Senior Bart Amsler ran for 327 yards (4.5) and one touchdown while junior Rick Holt chipped in with 249 yards (3.0) and three scores.
When Lynden went to the air, they usually went to one guy. 6-foot-3 senior receiver Kurt Langstraat had a great year, catching 13 passes for 286 yards (22.0) and three touchdowns on his way to being named All-League 1st Team. Senior Fred Silva, junior Greg Stoffer and Holt each caught a touchdown pass.
The offensive line was the biggest strength for the ’79 team. It was loaded with talent, and seniors Mark Morgan and Keith Louws led the way. Although on the smaller side (5’9″ 170), Morgan was named All-League 1st Team for the second year in a row. Louws (6’3″ 190) had a tremendous year, and was also named All-League 1st Team, and he was also named All-State 1st Team. Senior Gary Allen was an All-League 2nd Team selection, as was junior center Mark Maberry. The Lions ran for 1675 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Much of the same players that dominated on the offensive line did the same on the defensive line. Allen was not only an All-League 1st team pick, but he also landed on the All-State 1st Team. Louws joined Allen on the All-League 1st Team. Morgan was also very good on the d-line, and was named All-League 2nd Team. Holt and Erickson teamed up to form one of the best junior linebacking duos in school history. While Erickson was picking up All-League 2nd Team honors, Holt’s amazing play landed him on the All-League 1st Team, and he was chosen as the League’s Defensive Player of the Year. The secondary was led by 5’9″ 170-pound senior Rich Anker, who was named All-League 2nd Team.
Lange did it all on special teams, and has the awards to prove it. He kicked 15 extra points and three field goals, and was named All-League 2nd Team as a kicker. He also showed off his powerful leg while punting the ball, and was named All-League 1st Team as a punter.